Can I notarize this document?

Today, we are focusing on confusing and unfamiliar documents that notaries are requested to notarize.  We are going in this direction today because after polling several new notaries this month, I learned that many would like to know how to handle documents they have never heard of--the crazy ones...the ones that are not in loan document packages.   I ran across one that made me scratch my head, so we will take a look at it.  Its purpose is to say who gets my DNA results from a genealogy company when I die.  It is called a Beneficiary of DNA Information, and it is pictured in the image below.  

By analyzing this document, we will answer common questions asked by new notaries, for instance:

What...

July 25, 2019By E & O, Featured, Loan Signing Agent, Training5 CommentsRead more...
Why Every Notary Needs Training

Why EVERY Notary Needs Training

This week’s tips are for notaries who may be at risk of  losing relationships with hiring parties because of errors in their notarial acts, losing their commissions--or worse--may inadvertently perform a criminal act. Because life gets busy and is full of more pressing and interesting matters, notary laws are not top priority to many notaries--I understand that!  Unfortunately, the result is that too many notaries haven't developed proper skills.  They don't know what they can do and what they can't.There are pitfalls to avoid, but untrained notaries don't see them.  They are  performing notarial acts as if blindfolded, unaware of the risks and pitfalls that await them and the public for whom they notarize. 

Pressures to Perform Unlawful Acts

Just this week, I...

June 20, 2019By E & O, Loan Signing Agent, Notarial Law, Notary Public, Training2 CommentsRead more...
Notary Profiles and Marketing Kits

How to Create a Notary Profile and Marketing Kit

Last week, a new notary asked me how to develop a solid profile for websites like Notary Rotary.  I wasn’t able to answer her personally that day and decided to dedicate this week’s newsletter to two important pieces of a notary’s marketing strategy:  Notary Marketing Kit Professional Notary Profile A marketing kit will streamline your efforts; plus, having a notary profile makes it possible to set up accounts on marketing websites quickly. Initially, I came up with my list of must-have requirements for a notary’s marketing kit, then went a step further and asked a couple of friends who hire notaries for loan signings for their input. Like many hiring parties, they depend heavily on profiles to select notaries. Please keep in mind as...

June 13, 2019By E & O, Loan Signing Agent, Marketing & Advertising, Notary Business9 CommentsRead more...
Foreign Document Notarization

Notary Errors on Documents Destined for Foreign Countries

Last week, our article Use Caution when Notarizing for Elections and Political Candidates described how notarial errors on election and candidate forms can cause a notary to become an ugly headline in the media. There is one more situation that brings notary errors under a microscope.  Today’s topic is about errors that appear on notarized documents that will be used outside of the U.S. and requires an apostille or certificate of authentication.

Example of Document Requiring an Apostille

Suppose a citizen of China intends to marry a U.S. citizen and the wedding will take place in China. Before this can go forward, according to information on the website of the Consulate General of China  in San Francisco, the U.S. citizen must...

May 30, 2019By E & O, Insurance, Notarization, Notary Stamp2 CommentsRead more...

Use Caution when Notarizing for Elections and Political Candidates

Normally, I like to share notary tips and fun strategies for you to use in your business. But, on occasion, I feel obligated to share a warning, especially for those who are just getting started.   If you are new and haven't taken a training course, please do that before you begin seeking work--especially before handling election forms.  If you think that's unnecessary and old fashioned, please continue reading!

Candidate and election forms are treacherous.

New notaries without training should consider referring requests to perform notarial acts for political candidates and relating to election affidavits to more experienced notaries.  Please don't do it before taking a basic notary course and purchasing errors and omissions (E&O) insurance.  Notarial errors related...

May 23, 2019By E & O, Featured, Notarization, Notary Business, Training0 CommentsRead more...
Top 10 Things a New Notary Must Know

Top 10 Things that a New Notary Must Know

Are you a new notary public?  Do you feel as if you are -- Swimming around in murky notary laws that are too complicated? Trying to learn rules stuffed with terms that you do not understand? Attempting to make sense of confusing notary group discussions?  Unable to get a straight answer on anything? Drowning from information overload? If so, take this to heart:  You can't learn it all at once.  You really can't!  Don't make yourself feel bad because you don't know it all. Let's slow down and take your move into the notary world one small step at a time.  Today, I want to go over the barest requirements and most basic skills you need to learn before you slap the Mobile Notary sign on your car and drive off...

May 9, 2019By E & O, Featured, Insurance, Notarization, Notary Business, Notary Journal, Notary Public, Training2 CommentsRead more...
Notary Bond

What Is a Notary Bond and Why is it Important

As you know, a notary, also known as a notary public, is a government-licensed professional who takes witness to an assortment of legal affairs and signing of documents. The National Notary Association defines a notary as a government-appointed official to serve the public as an impartial witness in performing a variety of official fraud-deterrent acts--notarizations, notarial acts--that are related to the signing of highly important documents. Since a notary’s job requires them to work closely with legal documents day in and day out, oftentimes, they are required to get a notary bond, also referred to as a surety bond. In most cases, it’s necessary for a notary to obtain a surety bond before they are allowed to start notarizing and...

March 20, 2018By Bond, Insurance, , , , 0 CommentsRead more...
US Notary Bonds

Notary Bond vs Notary E&O Insurance

Notary Bonds and Errors and Omissions Insurance

What is the difference between a notary bond and errors and omissions (E&O) insurance?

A notary bond is a financial security document underwritten by a surety licensed in the state that requires it. Translated, the bond is there to protect the public in the event of financial damages caused due to improper notarization. A notary bond is not insurance for the notary. If you are forced to pay damages due to a notarization that you performed, the bonding company will pay up to the bond value amount, but the next thing the bonding company will do is come after you for the money. They are very efficient at collecting, which is why the...

February 15, 2017By Bond, E & O, Insurance, Notarial Law, Notary Business, Notary Public, , , 0 CommentsRead more...